The story follows the narration of Paul Baumer, who arrives on the western front with his friends Tjaden, Muller, Kropp, and other soldiers, and meets Stanislaus Katczinsky. Stanislaus Katczinsky, also known as Kat, becomes Paul's best friend and teaches him about the realities of war. Bonded by the hardships of the war, they soon become almost brothers. War becomes entirely pointless to Paul and his friends, after having to endure it day after day. They say they are fighting the war for leaders whom they have never met and most likely never will, and the only people who will gain anything from the war are the leaders and not them. Later Paul receives a period of leave from the army and returns home, but finds it difficult to open up to the people anymore. The soldiers wish for peace and nothing more.
The story follows the narration of Paul Baumer, who arrives on the western front with his friends Tjaden, Muller, Kropp, and other soldiers, and meets Stanislaus Katczinsky. Stanislaus Katczinsky, also known as Kat, becomes Paul's best friend and teaches him about the realities of war. Bonded by the hardships of the war, they soon become almost brothers. War becomes entirely pointless to Paul and his friends, after having to endure it day after day. They say they are fighting the war for leaders whom they have never met and most likely never will, and the only people who will gain anything from the war are the leaders and not them. Later Paul receives a period of leave from the army and returns home, but finds it difficult to open up to the people anymore. The soldiers wish for peace and nothing more.